Tombstone epitaph., 1887-12-10
THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS.

them "Punch and Judy" They are flown on the English sailing charts of few years ago as '"The Big and Little Can. uibals." with a note of warning that all boats sent on shore should be armed, as the natives are . treacherous lot and eat human flesh.
 In the year 1875 ! took 6rst mates berth out of San Francisco on the brig Harry Lee, she having been sold to parties fin Honolulu, and the owners having en- gagged to deliver her there. We had no trouble in shipping good crew, and bet ter weather l never saw until we were within two days run of our port. Then we got a gale which dismasted us and swept two men overheard; and when we finally brought up 1t was under the lee of the Biz Cannibal, in sheltered bay, with masts and sails gone, bulwarks nearly all swept away, bowsprit broken of, and the brig leaking so that we had to take long spells at the pump to keep her anoat. We had not been able to secure an obser- vation for three days, and, although quite certain that we had fallen in with one of the Sandwich group, none of us had ever seen this particular island before. Hut for the help of a very powerful cur ent which caught the brig as she was being hurled upon the weather side of the inland not a man of us would have lived to tell the story. This current ran us along the shore and whirled us into bay on the lee side, where our anchors found good ,ld- ing ground and brought us up in safety.
 It was two days before the storm blew itself out and the sea went down. We lay within half mile of the shoro, and had seen people on the beach every hour fin the day. At night they had built fires opposite our berth, as if to say that they were our friends and to encourage us to be of stout heart. From this circum- stance our captain argued that we had not been driven to the west as far as at first supposed, and that we, had at least two islands between us and Big Cannibal When the see had gone down sufficient to warrant us in lowering a boat l was ordered to take the yawl and four men and pull for the beach and ascertain our whereabouts. The weather had con- tinued dark and cloudy and no observa- tion could be taken. went away in the boat without the slightest misgivtngs, aud without firearm of any description. We had settled it that there was nothing to fear, and anticipated no trouble in engaging . native craft to run for some of the island ports and secure us the ser vices of steam craft.
 Almost opposite where the hull of the brig lay pitching at her anchor was the mouth of creek, and, although there was . bar and the surf was rolling pretty high. we entered the creek without acci- dent. Just as we were going over the bar it struck me as curious that none of the natives had been out to visit us. It wouldn't have been anything extra of . swim for native, while their little crafts will live in Q sea which would roll man of war rails under. It was now 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and remembered that we had not seen Q native on the beach since soon after daylight. There was no one in sight now, and we ran up the creek about a cables length and grounded. There were two native boats there, but not @ person in sight reasoned that village must be close at hand, and, leaving two of the men to care for the boat, l took two others with me and set out to follow . broad and we'll beaten path, which believed led to the village. In this l was correct We had not gone above half mile when we came to the village. We had scarcely caught sight of the first huts when we were our selves discovered, and three minutes later were surrounded by 100 dusky people. anticipated Q friendly welcome, and was . good deal put out at our reception. Most of the people were old men, women and children. There were not above five or six middle aged men. A circle was at once formed about us, and as soon as they saw that we were not armed We were seized, flung down and tied hand and foot. had served with Kanakas aboard of whalers and knew the dialect of the islanders pretty well. It was therefore with horror that l soon learned we were on Big Cannibal island, and that the na- tives were greatly rejoiced at the prospect of the feast before them. attempted te say something, but the noise of theil shouts drowned my words, and each ol us was hustled of by himself to differ ent hut. e5
 was taken in band by two stout fel lows, and when thrust into an empty hu turned on them and asked for an ex plantation. They were dumfounded t, hear me using the dialect, and at once ex hibited more friendly demeanor. The! had expected the brig to drive ashore, an( when she did not they feared che had to' large a crew for them to attack. The, wanted to know where she was from, hoy many men she had aboard and what he captain proposed doing l told them m. object in coming ashore, but they at ono gave me to understand they would d, nothing. It would be far better for then if the brig was to drive ashore. offere, as high as $500 in gold if they would ge word of our condition to some civilize, port, but the fellows were immovable They were a set of outlaws, and held n intercourse except with the smaller island A ship touched at the islands now an' then for water or vegetables, but the na tives kept out of sight and would do n
 trading with the sailors. When aske' after the rest of the villagers they replie' that upward of forty men were at th
 smaller island, where wreck had drive
 ashore about two weeks before, but wer
 expected home next day.
 ''And what do you propose to do wit
 us!" finally inquired.
 "Roast and eat you," was the curt rf
 ply, as they fastened the door and left m
 alone.
 It seemed more than likely. Why the
 had not gone to the creek to attack an
 capture the sailors and the yawl coul
 not understand, but 1t seemed that ou
 coming among them rather surprised an rattled them. When they had secured u
 they formed party of twenty of the bes men and set of for the creek, and in hal an hour this party returned shouting ant singing. The sailors had suspecte'
 nothing and were easily captured. On
 of them was put into the hut with me
 and he told me they supposed they wer
 being invited to feast of some sort, an
 that the natives had my permission [